Government and Society Russia one of great powers of Europe, first half 1800s Troops helped defeat Napoleon; leaders helped reorganize Europe after his fall Russia very different from other European powers Empire huge, stretched eastward far into Asia, included many different ethnic groups Huge Empire To govern large, diverse empire, Russian monarchs ruled with absolute power Called czars, controlled most aspects of Russian life Believed in autocracy, government by one leader with unlimited powers Absolute Power

Serfdom Agricultural Society Serfs Societal Problem Russian society under czars mostly agricultural Unlike other European countries, Russia had not industrialized Much of population, serfs—workers considered part of land they worked Serfs Controlled by lords, wealthy nobles who owned land Technically not slaves; living conditions, lack of freedom, resembled slavery Not allowed to leave property where born; did not own land they worked Societal Problem Serfs had to make regular payments of goods, labor to lords Some in government wanted to improve conditions, unable to make reforms Russian serfdom way of life, a major problem in Russian society

Reform and Repression The Decembrist Revolt Nicholas’s Response Russians wanted more freedoms. But Russia’s conservative czars were resistant to reform, which led to revolts, unrest, and repression. Secret societies formed to fight against czar’s rule Saw opportunity for change with death of Alexander I, 1825 One group called Decembrists Included military officers 3,000 soldiers assembled near Winter Palace Refused to declare allegiance to new czar, Nicholas I The Decembrist Revolt Nicholas responded by crushing rebellion Many Decembrists captured, sent to Siberia, isolated region in far eastern Russia Five Decembrists executed Decembrist revolt failed, but began revolutionary movement in Russia destined to grow in years ahead Nicholas’s Response

Reforms of Alexander II Russia Lagging Behind Alexander II came to power after Nicholas, 1855, near end of Crimean War Loss of war showed Russia far behind rest of Europe Did not have modern technology, industry to build competitive military Reforms Alexander II began program of reforms 1861, freed Russia’s serfs, gave them right to own land as part of commune Believed terrible living conditions could bring rebellion Economy Alexander II hoped giving serfs own land would build market economy Government set up system for peasants to buy land they worked on from landowner, usually with government help

Alexander II made other reforms to modernize Russia Reform and Repression Alexander II made other reforms to modernize Russia Set up new judicial system Allowed some local self-government Reorganized army, navy Despite reforms, revolutionary movements continued to gain strength, call for more changes 1881, radical group, The People’s Will, assassinated Czar Alexander II

Unrest Under Alexander II Alexander’s son, Alexander III, became next czar Alexander III a reactionary, wanted to go back to way things were in past, ended father’s reforms Responded to revolutionary threats by going after individuals, groups suspected of plotting against government Mobs began attacking Jews, killing them, destroying property Attacks known as pogroms; first wave began after Alexander II assassinated Some wrongly blamed Jews Government did not stop attacks Different Form of Unrest 1894, Nicholas II crowned Autocratic ruler, developed industry 1890s, Russia began building Trans-Siberian Railroad to link western Russia with Siberia Expansion east would lead to war Industrialization under Nicholas

War and Revolution Expansion East War With Japan Growing Unrest Russia expanded east Came into conflict with another imperial power—Japan At same time, revolution brewing War With Japan Early 1900s, Japan building empire, viewed Russia as threat 1904, Japanese forces attacked, defeated Russia in Russo-Japanese War Growing Unrest Defeat shocked many Russians, added to unrest One group calling for change, Marxists—followed communist theories of Karl Marx Marxist Ideas Wanted to create socialist republic—no private property, state to own, distribute goods 1902, Vladimir Lenin called for revolution to overthrow czar

The Revolution of 1905 Revolution Begins 1905, many Russians ready to rebel against czar January 22, Orthodox priest, Father Gapon, brought petition to czar at Winter Palace, listing number of demands Troops fired at group; hundreds died; day known as Bloody Sunday Revolution Begins Bloody Sunday inspired many sectors of society to rise up against czar; rebellions broke out, czar’s strict rules disobeyed Workers went on strike, students protested in streets Czar promised reform, but did not follow through Massive strike in October; 2 million workers protested in streets

The October Manifesto In response to the rebellions and strikes, Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto, an official promise for reform and a more democratic government. Manifesto promised constitution Individual liberties to all, including freedom of speech, assembly Many gained right to vote Provisions Voters would elect representatives to the Duma, assembly to approve all laws Czar continue to rule, but not pass laws without approval of Duma Duma Nicholas II hoped Manifesto would end revolution Did not achieve balance between own power, democracy People still wanted reform End Revolution